Welsh Connection at 3000-4000 rpm

[JazzDaf]

I'm not strictly completely new here, because I joined on 5 January 2026 when I bought my 2011 Jazz SE.

I've just discovered the joys of a new gear gaiter and weighted knob, and the thrill of finding that the car has a hidden personality when you drive in 2nd and 3rd around towns and hills at 3000-4000 rpm. It was an absolute revelation that the 1.4 i-VTEC engine has this character. Previously I was just driving at roughly 2000 rpm trying to get to 4th and 5th as quickly as possible, and that just didn't make the car come to life in this way! I've been driving 40 years and only just found out what the tachometer is for!

Is this a common revelation for Jazz owners?

[TnTkr]

Welcome to the forum!

I have not driven 2nd gen Jazz, but it's typical for Honda to design engines in such way that they provide best fun at higher rpms. It's been their trademark for decades. I would warmly suggest you try accelerating in 2nd gear with full throttle up to the redline. Then you know where the sweet range for the engine is.

[JazzDaf]

Thank you! I have gone up a hill in 2nd at 60 mph, and it was a revealing almost-brown-trouser moment. Quite addictive. I suggest everyone does that in their Jazz. The 'pensioner' moniker will disppear.

[Marco1979]

For engine durability it is beneficial to redline it once in a while. It will keep the engine clean of sooth and such. And it will also prevent it from becoming lazy. It is perfectly safe to do so, once properly warmed up .

Enjoy!

[JazzDaf]

I hit the rev limiter whilst in first gear yesterday. I didn't know what that was until I looked it up on Copilot afterwards! It's been a steep learning curve over a few days. I almost bought the Jazz by a twist of fate. I was trying to find a second car for my own use (my wife uses our main car mostly) and I wanted one slightly more powerful than our Citigo, cheap to insure, cheap on fuel, fairly anonymous to deter theft etc, and the AI suggestion was always Jazz! Jazz! Jazz. I was barely aware of their existence previously. I found one with FSH for £2k, went to see it three times at the dealer, bought it, and slowly fell in love with it, and now after four months I've discovered that I have to drive it at 5000 revs to get most fun! I've had a sheltered life - because this is the most exciting discovery I've made so far!